All parties go on sale six months in advance. All parties are booked on a first-come first-served basis, and must be booked at least two weeks in advance.

The full rental amount is due upon booking. All additions including additional admission tickets, carousel tickets, food and goodie bags, can be added up to five days prior to your party. Animal Experiences, Face Painters, Airbrush Tattoo Artists and greeters require two weeks notice to book. Final payment for your party is due five days prior to your party.

The Houston Zoo adheres to a no refund cancellation policy. All parties take place rain or shine. If you need to reschedule a party for any reason, this must be done two weeks prior to your party, and there is a $50 rescheduling fee.

You are welcome to bring in any food that does not require any on site preparation. No chafing dishes, hot plates or crock plates are allowed. Food deliveries are not permitted on zoo grounds, but you may meet deliveries outside zoo gates/off zoo grounds. If you choose to use a full service catering company for your event, the outside caterer must be pre-approved by the Houston Zoo at least two weeks prior to party. There will be a 20% charge (applied to the total cost of the catering invoice for the event) paid to the Houston Zoo for the use of any outside catering company.

We do not have a will call system; all tickets must be distributed to your guests prior to your event. If guests forget their tickets, you will either have to purchase new tickets for your guests, bring them any extra tickets you may have, or ask them to buy their own tickets. The Special Events Department cannot provide you with any additional tickets on the day of your party. Any additional tickets needed on the day of your party must be purchased through the regular admissions ticket booths.

You are welcome to host a party at the Zoo without reserving a space. To do this, you may purchase regular admission tickets for your guests, and use any of our public spaces to celebrate. You are welcome to bring in your own food, drinks and cake. All additions including the Animal Experience and Scavenger Hunt are only available for booked birthday parties.

You and your guests can either park in the lot in front of the Main Entrance located at 6200 Hermann Park Drive or at the Memorial Hermann Garage at 6400 Fannin. We do have a loading zone for birthday party parents at our West Gate which is located at 1618 Cambridge. You are welcome to park there for 10-15 minutes to take items to the pavilion. Please note that the Zoo does not own any of the parking lots or garages and cannot reserve spaces.

These items are available to be added to your birthday party package:

• Large Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza (each) – $21.99
• Large Veggie or Supreme Pizza (each) – $21.99
• Birthday Griller* – Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Mac N Cheese, Fruit Salad, Condiments, Capri Sun, Soda, and Water (per person) – $10.00
• Pizza Package* – Choice of two types of Pizza (cheese, pepperoni, or veggie), Fruit Salad, Green Salad, Capri Sun, Soda, and Water (per person) – $10.00
• Chicken Tender Package* – $7.99 – Mac N Cheese, Fruit, soda and water (per person)
• PB&J Sandwiches, Goldfish Crackers, and Capri Sun (per person) – $6.99
• Miniature Deli Board (Ham, Turkey or Roast Beef), Chips, and Soda or  Water (per person) – $6.99
• Assorted Pastries (per dozen) – $14.00
• Assorted Bagels Served with Cream Cheese and Preserves (per dozen) – $10.00
• Yogurt Parfait Cups – $3.75 
• Fresh Fruit Tray for 20 – $42.50
• Assorted Mini Desserts (per person) – $6.00
• Cupcakes (per dozen) – $30.00
• Cookies (per dozen) – $21.00
• Ice Cream Cups (per cup) – $2.75
• Cotton Candy (per bag) – $2.75
• Popcorn (per bag) – $2.75
• Punch Bowl (per person) – $1.50
• Capri Sun (per drink) – $1.50
• Soda (per can)  – 12 oz – $2.30 7.5 oz – $1.80
• Boxed Water – $3.29

* Minimum order for 20 guests required for the Birthday Griller, Chicken Tender Package, and Pizza Package

Certain items from our full menu can also be ordered for birthday parties. Please contact us for further details. Any food/beverage orders must be paid for prior to your event, and food orders must be received at least 5 days prior to the event. All menu options include paper products and utensils. Prices do not include 20% support charge and 8.25% sales tax.

Requires two week notice to schedule.

This educational experience includes a keeper bringing (2) small animals to your pavilion to interact with guests. Guests will learn about the importance of the animals and their habitats, as well as be able to touch and take photos with the various ambassadors  This experience lasts for approximately thirty minutes. Please note that animal experiences are subject to weather conditions and Zoo Animal Staff approval.

We cannot take special requests for certain animals; common animals include the giant rabbit, dwarf rabbit, hedgehog, armadillo, opossum, chinchilla, various snakes, various sized lizards, baby alligator, turtle, and various birds.

Make your child’s birthday extra special (and your life a lot easier) by letting the Zoo handle your decorations too! There are five adorable options to choose from:

Zebra Passion
Safari Adventure
Bug-Eyed
Happi Woodland Blue
Happi Woodland Pink
Monkey Love

The 32 count package is $100,
and the 64 count package is $175.

Decorations include:

• 2 themed rectangular table covers
• 5 solid round table covers (hot pink for Zebra Passion and Happi Woodland Pink, lime green for Smiling Safari, Safari Adventure, Happi Woodland Blue, Bug-Eyed, and Monkeying Around)
• One themed Happy Birthday banner
• 16 party hats

Plus, 32 or 64 of the following:

• Cups *Safari Adventure and Monkey Love do not include cups
• Beverage napkins
• Regular napkins
• Cake plates
• Regular plates

Connect in a fun way while you and your guests explore the Zoo and learn something new about our animals and each other! You can work together or alone to answer a variety of questions by following the hunt’s clues that will lead them to various areas around the Children’s Zoo.

Buy additional admission tickets ahead of time for a discounted rate and avoid long lines! We offer this price if you purchase the tickets prior to the event through our Special Events department. Members may use their membership to get into the Zoo. Children aged 1 and under are free.

Buy your carousel tickets ahead of time for a discounted rate (normally $3) and avoid long lines! We offer this price if you purchase the tickets prior to the event through our Special Events department.

Zoo guests have a unique opportunity to interact with our our Masai giraffe family at the Giraffe Feeding Platform. Make your way up the ramp to the feeding area for a birds-eye view of the giraffes, zebra, and ostriches while you offer a crunchy lettuce leaf snack to your new long-necked pals. Feedings daily at 11 am and 2 pm, dependent on weather and giraffe participation.

Are you worried your guests will misplace their birthday party admission tickets if you hand them out in advance? Add the Greeter to your party and have your guests pick up their tickets outside the main entrance to the Zoo on the day of the event. Greeters are set-up for two hours.

Requires two week notice to schedule

Requires two week notice to schedule

Let us take some of the pressure off by preparing goodie bags filled with animal-themed toys and trinkets. Pencil toppers, animal figurines, plastic jewelry, and small puzzles are just a few of the many items that may be included in goodie bags for your party animal and their friends.

Let us take your goodie bags to the next level by including a plush animal with each bag.

Each colorful wristband makes a direct donation to the Naturally Wild Conservation Program.

Safari-themed foam crafts with magnetic backs that your party animal and their friends will love making and then hanging up at home!

Give guests something to look forward to on their next visit to the Zoo with Carousel ($2/person) or Giraffe Feeding ($7/person) tickets that are good for six months!